Affordable Care ActNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94The latest podcasts and commentary from KMUW - Wichita 89.1 FM.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Affordable Care ActWed, 28 Feb 2018 09:48:23 +0000Affordable Care Acthttp://kmuw.org
Dan MargoliesMissouri and Kansas have joined 18 other states in seeking to have the Affordable Care Act declared unconstitutional following Congress’ repeal last year of the tax penalty associated with the individual mandate. In a lawsuit filed late Monday in federal court in Texas, the coalition of 20 mostly red states claimed that the elimination of the tax penalty for those who don’t buy health insurance renders the entire health care law unconstitutional. In announcing that Missouri had joined the lawsuit, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley said in a statement that the Affordable Care Act “was never constitutional.” “My office will continue to fight to take health care choices out of the hands of D.C. bureaucrats and put them in the hands of families and physicians,” Hawley said. Hawley’s statement that the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was never constitutional flies in the face of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2012 decision finding that the mandate was constitutional underKansas And Missouri Join States Arguing No Tax Penalty, No Affordable Care Acthttp://kmuw.org/post/kansas-and-missouri-join-states-arguing-no-tax-penalty-no-affordable-care-act
96005 as http://kmuw.orgTue, 27 Feb 2018 22:05:21 +0000Kansas And Missouri Join States Arguing No Tax Penalty, No Affordable Care ActAlex SmithMore people signed up for Obamacare in Kansas this year than last, even though the open enrollment period was cut in half. In the enrollment period that ended last week, 98,919 people selected plans in Kansas compared with 98,780 last year. While the increase is slight, it’s a surprise, given the reduced time period and the Trump administration’s reduced promotion efforts. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claimed the numbers were proof of the agency’s improved efficiency. Many health care groups, however, say the Trump administration is undermining the Affordable Care Act and the enrollment numbers demonstrate that consumers need and want the coverage. Nationwide, the 8.8 million people who signed up represent 96 percent of last year’s total.Kansas ACA Enrollment Numbers Increased In 2017http://kmuw.org/post/kansas-aca-enrollment-numbers-increased-2017
93150 as http://kmuw.orgFri, 22 Dec 2017 22:00:00 +0000Kansas ACA Enrollment Numbers Increased In 2017Jim McLeanDemand for Obamacare coverage in Kansas appears strong ahead of Friday's sign-up deadline. Despite that, enrollment through the health insurance marketplace is expected to drop.Today Is The Deadline For Obamacare Enrollmenthttp://kmuw.org/post/today-deadline-obamacare-enrollment
92615 as http://kmuw.orgFri, 15 Dec 2017 18:36:05 +0000Today Is The Deadline For Obamacare EnrollmentDeborah ShaarHealth navigators are available in Wichita to help people complete applications for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace before Friday's enrollment deadline. One of the community sites offering free, in-person enrollment assistance is the La Familia Senior/Community Center north of downtown Wichita. A bilingual health navigator is taking appointments through Friday to help people get signed up for a health plan. La Familia executive director Carla Lee says this is the third year the organization has offered the one-on-one assistance. "We have been trying to target the Hispanic community, and people there who might be underinsured, uninsured or wish to reconsider and look at other [health insurance] options," Lee says. Lee says if people are not eligible for marketplace health insurance, her staff provides referrals to Medicaid and other community health services. "We have many, many people who are uninsured or underinsured, so our mission here is to help peopleFriday Is Enrollment Deadline For ACA Marketplace Health Insurancehttp://kmuw.org/post/friday-enrollment-deadline-aca-marketplace-health-insurance
92400 as http://kmuw.orgMon, 11 Dec 2017 23:01:01 +0000Friday Is Enrollment Deadline For ACA Marketplace Health InsuranceNadya FaulxThe deadline to sign up for health insurance in the Affordable Care Act marketplace is less than three weeks away, on Dec. 15—several weeks earlier than last year’s deadline. It's not the only change in the marketplace.Deadline Nearing To Buy Health Insurance In ACA Marketplacehttp://kmuw.org/post/deadline-nearing-buy-health-insurance-aca-marketplace
91864 as http://kmuw.orgWed, 29 Nov 2017 22:25:07 +0000Deadline Nearing To Buy Health Insurance In ACA MarketplaceNPR NewsRepublican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana are defending their proposal to replace Obamacare today in a Senate hearing. Resistance to the bill from a few of their GOP colleagues may sink this latest Republican attempt at a new approach to health care. The bill's authors have made changes to the legislation in hopes of winning over holdouts. But it appears they may still fall short of the necessary votes to pass the bill. The Republicans are facing a Saturday deadline to act on the legislation.In Hearing, Sens. Graham And Cassidy Defend Their Namesake Bill To Repeal Obamacarehttp://kmuw.org/post/hearing-sens-graham-and-cassidy-defend-their-namesake-bill-repeal-obamacare
89009 as http://kmuw.orgMon, 25 Sep 2017 18:08:37 +0000In Hearing, Sens. Graham And Cassidy Defend Their Namesake Bill To Repeal ObamacareJim McLeanU.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas is in a familiar position. He’s one of several Republican senators under pressure to vote for the latest Obamacare repeal bill. However, Moran remains undecided. Moran, who surprised many by opposing some earlier Obamacare repeal bills and supporting others, says he’s studying the so-called Graham-Cassidy amendment. He says he still favors repeal but wants to know more about the new bill. “How we fix the Affordable Care Act matters to me and the consequences to health care providers but more importantly their patients is still front and center,” Moran says. Among other things, Graham-Cassidy would use the money now paying for Medicaid expansion to fund Medicaid block grants to the states. Under that arrangement, Kansas would initially see a $2 billion increase in federal funding , according to a study by leading health care consulting firm Avalere , but that funding would drop by $11 billion by 2036. -- Jim McLean is managing director of KMUW's KansasSenator Moran Undecided On New ACA Repeal Measurehttp://kmuw.org/post/senator-moran-undecided-new-aca-repeal-measure
88868 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 21 Sep 2017 17:48:44 +0000Senator Moran Undecided On New ACA Repeal MeasureJim McLeanLow-income Kansans are much less likely to have health insurance than their counterparts in other states, according to an analysis of new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.Young, Low-Income Kansans More Likely To Be Uninsured Than Counterparts In Other Stateshttp://kmuw.org/post/young-low-income-kansans-more-likely-be-uninsured-counterparts-other-states
88612 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 14 Sep 2017 20:19:31 +0000Young, Low-Income Kansans More Likely To Be Uninsured Than Counterparts In Other StatesJim McLeanThe Affordable Care Act marketplace will be a mixed bag for Kansas consumers seeking health insurance for 2018. Some will pay more for coverage, some less. And some will purchase new plans for which there is no price-point comparison. The Kansas Insurance Department said the “range of average rate revisions” for individual and small-group plans on and off the ACA marketplace will be from 8.8 percent lower to 29 percent higher. That means that some consumers could see premium increases of more than 29 percent, but it’s impossible to say how many, said Julie Holmes, the department’s director of health and life insurance. “It’s going to depend on who buys from which company,” Holmes said. “There are just so many variables.” If there are substantial price spikes, many consumer who purchase Obamacare coverage may not be adversely affected. That is because the federal subsidies they receive to keep coverage affordable will also go up. “So, they will be insulated,” Holmes said. More than 80Despite Higher Premiums, Kansans Won't Have To Pay Much More For Obamacarehttp://kmuw.org/post/despite-higher-premiums-kansans-wont-have-pay-much-more-obamacare
88068 as http://kmuw.orgFri, 01 Sep 2017 19:18:51 +0000Despite Higher Premiums, Kansans Won't Have To Pay Much More For ObamacareJim McLeanFor a while it appeared that the Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act might come down to Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran’s vote.Moran, Roberts Vote For ‘Skinny Repeal’ As McCain Casts Deciding Vote Against Ithttp://kmuw.org/post/moran-roberts-vote-skinny-repeal-mccain-casts-deciding-vote-against-it
86516 as http://kmuw.orgFri, 28 Jul 2017 15:32:54 +0000Moran, Roberts Vote For ‘Skinny Repeal’ As McCain Casts Deciding Vote Against ItStephen KorandaHealth care advocates say they’ll keep the pressure on Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran as debate moves forward on a possible repeal of Obamacare. Moran voted to go ahead with debate on a health care overhaul, but in the past he’s voiced concerns about Medicaid cuts. Related: Moran Explains Position On Obamacare Repeal After Vote Against Bill Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, was part of a rally Tuesday at the Kansas Statehouse in opposition to Medicaid cuts. Nichols said Moran's previous comments about Medicaid will be on the minds of advocates. “That’s why we’re hopeful that he’s going to continue to be supportive of Medicaid, but at the same time we’re going to hold him and everyone accountable,” said Nichols. “They need to make sure that their actions match their words.” Brad Linnenkamp, a Lawrence resident with a disability, also attended the rally. Linnenkamp receives Medicaid services and said he’ll be contacting Moran. "I think in the long runKansas Health Care Advocates Say They’ll Keep Pressure On Senator Jerry Moranhttp://kmuw.org/post/kansas-health-care-advocates-say-they-ll-keep-pressure-senator-jerry-moran
86410 as http://kmuw.orgWed, 26 Jul 2017 15:21:39 +0000Kansas Health Care Advocates Say They’ll Keep Pressure On Senator Jerry MoranJim McLeanThis post was updated Wednesday at 10 a.m. to reflect the results of Tuesday night's Senate vote. Despite misgivings about the closed-door process used to write a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and its potential impact on rural health care providers, Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran joined his Kansas counterpart, Pat Roberts, in voting Tuesday to begin debate on the legislation. But a short time later, Moran was one of nine GOP senators who voted against a replacement bill backed by Republican leaders.Moran Explains Position On Obamacare Repeal After Vote Against Billhttp://kmuw.org/post/moran-explains-position-obamacare-repeal-after-vote-against-bill
86378 as http://kmuw.orgTue, 25 Jul 2017 21:22:24 +0000Moran Explains Position On Obamacare Repeal After Vote Against BillJim McLeanFor a public official unaccustomed to the limelight, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran can’t seem to avoid it when it comes to the national healthcare debate.Moran Cheered And Jeered For Evolving Positions On Obamacare Repeal http://kmuw.org/post/moran-cheered-and-jeered-evolving-positions-obamacare-repeal
86097 as http://kmuw.orgTue, 18 Jul 2017 21:16:21 +0000Moran Cheered And Jeered For Evolving Positions On Obamacare Repeal Jim McLeanUpdated at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran says he would support an effort in the Senate to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act now and work on a replacement later. In a statement Tuesday, the Republican junior senator says he supports "the [P]resident's efforts to repeal Obamacare."UPDATE: After Opposing Replacement, Sen. Moran Says He Supports Full Obamacare Repeal Efforthttp://kmuw.org/post/update-after-opposing-replacement-sen-moran-says-he-supports-full-obamacare-repeal-effort
86071 as http://kmuw.orgTue, 18 Jul 2017 16:30:44 +0000UPDATE: After Opposing Replacement, Sen. Moran Says He Supports Full Obamacare Repeal EffortBryan ThompsonThe Kansas Hospital Association says the revised health care proposal in the U.S. Senate still comes up short of what’s needed for patients and hospitals in Kansas. Kansas Hospital Association spokeswoman Cindy Samuelson says the revised Better Care Reconciliation Act would lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid cuts for Kansas. Samuelson says that will reduce access to care for children, people with disabilities, and those in nursing homes. “The threat this bill poses to the long-term practicality of Medicaid as a reliable safety net throws into question how to care for low-income Kansans will be paid for,” Samuelson says. Samuelson also says the bill would allow insurance companies to sell policies with very limited coverage—which means patients would face higher, often unaffordable medical bills, and leave hospitals holding the bag. -- Bryan Thompson is a reporter for KCUR 89.3 and the Kansas News Service, specializing in rural health and agriculture. He is based inKansas Hospital Association Rejects Senate Health Care Billhttp://kmuw.org/post/kansas-hospital-association-rejects-senate-health-care-bill
86011 as http://kmuw.orgMon, 17 Jul 2017 16:58:02 +0000Kansas Hospital Association Rejects Senate Health Care BillJim McLeanThe number of Native Americans without health insurance would increase sharply if Republicans in Congress succeed in repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, according to a new report. The report, from the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities , says that proposed cuts to Medicaid and to the subsidies that reduce out-of-pockets costs for low-income individuals purchasing private insurance in the ACA marketplace would jeopardize the coverage of more than 300,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives. The uninsured rate among Native Americans would climb by 27.4 percent in Kansas and 36.2 percent in Missouri, according to the report. Kansas is home to approximately 60,000 people who identify as either Native Americans or Alaska Natives. Missouri has a Native American population of more than 70,000. An analysis done by the Urban Institute released earlier this month estimated that Kansas’ overall uninsured rate would be 35 percent higher by 2022 under the ObamacareReport: ACA Repeal Would Send Native American Uninsured Rate Soaringhttp://kmuw.org/post/report-aca-repeal-would-send-native-american-uninsured-rate-soaring
85934 as http://kmuw.orgFri, 14 Jul 2017 18:56:37 +0000Report: ACA Repeal Would Send Native American Uninsured Rate SoaringJim McLeanU.S. Sen. Jerry Moran’s silence Thursday on the GOP’s revised bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act prompted one Capitol Hill reporter to refer to him as a “mystery man.”Moran Studying Changes To Senate Health Bill, Opponents Urging Him To Stand Firmhttp://kmuw.org/post/moran-studying-changes-senate-health-bill-opponents-urging-him-stand-firm
85903 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 13 Jul 2017 22:17:41 +0000Moran Studying Changes To Senate Health Bill, Opponents Urging Him To Stand FirmJim McLeanU.S. Sen. Jerry Moran is opposed to a bill crafted in secret by Republican leaders to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. But speaking to an overflow crowd at a town hall meeting Thursday in northwest Kansas, Moran said he is open to supporting a revised version if GOP leaders can address his concerns. “I would be anxious to see if that bill can get to the point in which I think it’s beneficial for Kansas,” Moran said. Among other things, Moran said he is concerned about the effect of nearly $800 billion in proposed Medicaid cuts on rural health care providers and Kansans with disabilities. And he said he doesn’t like how the bill treats Kansas and other states that have not expanded eligibility for their Medicaid programs. Related story: Kansans with disabilities fearful of Obamacare replacement bill “It takes money out of a state that didn’t expand Medicaid and provides it to states that did expand Medicaid to extend the time that Medicaid expansion receives the higherMoran Tells Kansas Crowd He’s Open To Supporting Revised GOP Health Billhttp://kmuw.org/post/moran-tells-kansas-crowd-he-s-open-supporting-revised-gop-health-bill-0
85641 as http://kmuw.orgFri, 07 Jul 2017 15:56:34 +0000Moran Tells Kansas Crowd He’s Open To Supporting Revised GOP Health BillJim McLeanU.S. Sen. Jerry Moran will have his first town hall meeting Thursday since announcing his opposition to the Republican Obamacare replacement bill .Moran Has First Town Hall Meeting Since Announcing Opposition To Health Billhttp://kmuw.org/post/moran-has-first-town-hall-meeting-announcing-opposition-health-bill
85587 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 06 Jul 2017 14:44:04 +0000Moran Has First Town Hall Meeting Since Announcing Opposition To Health BillDan MargoliesIn a post Tuesday on the Health Affairs blog , former Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius calls the Republican health care plans passed by the House and proposed by the Senate “a very cruel war on the poor.” The post, co-authored with Ron Pollack, founding executive director of consumer health group Families USA, states, “By far, no demographic group would be hurt more by these legislative proposals than low-income people. They are the bulls-eye!” Sebelius, a former Kansas governor and insurance commissioner, and Pollack call the Medicaid cuts proposed in the House and Senate bills “the most unconscionable” of the bills’ cuts. Referring to the caps both bills would impose on the federal share of Medicaid funding, the two say that most states would be unable to make up the shortfall. “As a result, low-income children, adults and seniors seeking Medicaid coverage would be subjected to waiting lists, coverage reductions, and/or unaffordable costs for premiums,Sebelius: Republican Health Care Plans Are ‘A Very Cruel War On The Poor’http://kmuw.org/post/sebelius-republican-health-care-plans-are-very-cruel-war-poor
85249 as http://kmuw.orgWed, 28 Jun 2017 15:41:36 +0000Sebelius: Republican Health Care Plans Are ‘A Very Cruel War On The Poor’